Rick Scott is an idiot
Back in July, Florida started testing its welfare recipients for drugs before they could receive their benefits. The bill for the testing kits is out-of-pocket, and anyone who fails the test cannot collect welfare benefits for a year. The rationale for this new program, which was considered at the request of Governor Rick Scott (R), was:
So is this program actually saving the state any money? Let's break down the numbers. Each drug test costs $30, which is initially an out-of-pocket expense for the recipient, but it reimbursed if the result is negative. About 1000 people took the test in mid-August. Assuming 1000 to 1500 people took the test each month, that's around $28,800 to $43,200 in monthly reimbursements. Compare that to the savings of $32,200 to $48,200 from rejected applicants. That's an annual savings of $40,800 to $98,400. The cost of the bureaucracy to manage this program hasn't been calculated yet, but it's sure to far exceed that savings by a long shot.
It's clear that this program does not actually save the state any money. In fact, it's likely to cost the state quite a bit once the final numbers come in. Keep in mind that Florida does not have an income tax. It relies on sales and property taxes, and a booming tourism industry (which hasn't been so great due to the recession).
So here's the question: Does the moral value of this program outweigh the costs, both in dollars and in privacy concerns? It seems to me that this is not a viable program for either a fiscal conservative or a social liberal.
source for figures: http://www2.tbo.com/news/politics/2011/aug/24/3/welfare-drug-testing-yields-2-percent-positive-res-ar-252458/
Edit: Rick Scott claimed the program would save the state $77 million as part of his seven step plan to create 700,000 private sector jobs in 7 years.
- Welfare recipients are more likely to use drugs (and use their welfare money for drugs)
- Because of this, the testing program would ultimately save the state money
So is this program actually saving the state any money? Let's break down the numbers. Each drug test costs $30, which is initially an out-of-pocket expense for the recipient, but it reimbursed if the result is negative. About 1000 people took the test in mid-August. Assuming 1000 to 1500 people took the test each month, that's around $28,800 to $43,200 in monthly reimbursements. Compare that to the savings of $32,200 to $48,200 from rejected applicants. That's an annual savings of $40,800 to $98,400. The cost of the bureaucracy to manage this program hasn't been calculated yet, but it's sure to far exceed that savings by a long shot.
It's clear that this program does not actually save the state any money. In fact, it's likely to cost the state quite a bit once the final numbers come in. Keep in mind that Florida does not have an income tax. It relies on sales and property taxes, and a booming tourism industry (which hasn't been so great due to the recession).
So here's the question: Does the moral value of this program outweigh the costs, both in dollars and in privacy concerns? It seems to me that this is not a viable program for either a fiscal conservative or a social liberal.
source for figures: http://www2.tbo.com/news/politics/2011/aug/24/3/welfare-drug-testing-yields-2-percent-positive-res-ar-252458/
Edit: Rick Scott claimed the program would save the state $77 million as part of his seven step plan to create 700,000 private sector jobs in 7 years.